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Single Idea 2792
[filed under theme 12. Knowledge Sources / E. Direct Knowledge / 4. Memory
]
Full Idea
There is no logical impossibility in the hypothesis that the world sprang into being five minutes ago, exactly as it then was, with a population that "remembered" a wholly unreal past.
Gist of Idea
It is possible the world came into existence five minutes ago, complete with false memories
Source
Bertrand Russell (The Analysis of Mind [1921], p.159)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'The Analysis of Mind' [Routledge 1995], p.159
A Reaction
One of the great sceptical arguments! At a stroke it undermines forever any dreams that memories are totally certain. This is an extra scepticism, which arises if you decide that current experience IS totally certain.
The
37 ideas
with the same theme
[memory as source and preserver of knowledge]:
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9067
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Many memories of the same item form a single experience
[Aristotle]
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2665
|
How can there be a memory of what is false?
[Cicero]
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18452
|
Memory is not conserved images, but reproduction of previous thought
[Porphyry]
|
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22977
|
I can distinguish different smells even when I am not experiencing them
[Augustine]
|
|
22980
|
Memory contains innumerable principles of maths, as well as past sense experiences
[Augustine]
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22983
|
We would avoid remembering sorrow or fear if that triggered the emotions afresh
[Augustine]
|
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22982
|
Why does joy in my mind make me happy, but joy in my memory doesn't?
[Augustine]
|
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22981
|
Mind and memory are the same, as shown in 'bear it in mind' or 'it slipped from mind'
[Augustine]
|
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23660
|
The theory of ideas, popular with philosophers, means past existence has to be proved
[Reid]
|
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23644
|
Without memory we could have no concept of duration
[Reid]
|
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23643
|
We all trust our distinct memories (but not our distinct imaginings)
[Reid]
|
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20250
|
We may be unable to remember, but we may never actually forget
[Nietzsche]
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24115
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There is no proof that we forget things - only that we can't recall
[Nietzsche]
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23197
|
Memory is essential, and is only possible by means of abbreviation signs
[Nietzsche]
|
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23719
|
Forgetfulness is a strong positive ability, not mental laziness
[Nietzsche]
|
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22220
|
The phenomena of memory are given in the present, but as being past
[Husserl, by Bernet]
|
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21854
|
Bergson showed that memory is not after the event, but coexists with it
[Bergson, by Deleuze]
|
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2792
|
It is possible the world came into existence five minutes ago, complete with false memories
[Russell]
|
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5414
|
Images are not memory, because they are present, and memories are of the past
[Russell]
|
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21500
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We rely on memory for empirical beliefs because they mutually support one another
[Lewis,CI]
|
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21501
|
If we doubt memories we cannot assess our doubt, or what is being doubted
[Lewis,CI]
|
|
18734
|
If you remember wrongly, then there must be some other criterion than your remembering
[Wittgenstein]
|
|
3493
|
Memory is mainly a guide for current performance
[Searle]
|
|
3101
|
Memories are not just preserved, they are constantly reinferred
[Harman]
|
|
2788
|
If perception and memory are indirect, then two things stand between mind and reality
[Dancy,J]
|
|
2787
|
Memories aren't directly about the past, because time-lags and illusions suggest representation
[Dancy,J]
|
|
2790
|
I can remember plans about the future, and images aren't essential (2+3=5)
[Dancy,J]
|
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2791
|
Phenomenalism about memory denies the past, or reduces it to present experience
[Dancy,J]
|
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23304
|
The ancient Memorists said virtually all types of thinking could be done simply by memory
[Sorabji]
|
|
23303
|
Stoics say true memory needs reflection and assent, but animals only have perceptual recognition
[Sorabji]
|
|
2724
|
I might remember someone I can't recall or image, by recognising them on meeting
[Audi,R]
|
|
2725
|
To remember something is to know it
[Audi,R]
|
|
7513
|
Is memory stored in protein sequences, neurons, synapses, or synapse-strengths?
[Pinker]
|
|
4919
|
There seems to be no dividing line between a memory and a thought
[Carter,R]
|
|
6667
|
There are memories of facts, memories of practical skills, and autobiographical memory
[Lowe]
|
|
3759
|
You can acquire new knowledge by exploring memories
[Bernecker/Dretske]
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15703
|
Memories often conform to a theory, rather than being neutral
[Gelman]
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